Poll Results January 2022
Political Participation & Agency
Linked closely with political action, attitudes towards political participation and perceptions of political agency are as important as ever. Where do the attitudes of youth engaged with IYTT sit in relation to broader European and global attitudes? We sought to gauge this by borrowing three questions used in the European Social Survey (ESS) and the World Values Survey (WVS), and comparing results. This poll surveyed panelists on our European Youth Panel, as well as International Youth Conference participants (2019–2021).
Question 1
How interested would you say you are in politics - are you…
Elaborated answers
Very interested. I work in the “Brussels Bubble” and current political affairs are relevant in my everyday life, both professionally and on a personal level. I also believe that the youth has to stay alert and as engaged as possible to be able to react to and advise policies that will affect our generation the most in the long run.
Very interested. I have a bachelor’s degree in International Studies, which focuses a lot on international politics. Moreover, in my spare time, I love increasing my knowledge on both domestic and international politics. In addition to this, I am also the editor-in-chief of a foreign affairs magazine, where politics definitely have a considerable weight.
Very interested. It is as simple as saying that even personal facts are influenced by politics. Politics are everywhere.
Somewhat interested. Despite someone is trying to deny it, we can not negate that politics is the linchpin of our society. Anybody is involved in politics, even if not conscious.
However, is frustrating to be interested in politics. Especially if you’re a young person, it is common to see your hopes crashed by the party or even by the single politicians in charge. Not to argue the infinity story of scandal, told and untold, which ties the story of politics. Because of this I consider myself as “somewhat interested in politics”: the frustration that derives by this aspect too strong to ignore.
In the end, I have to say that after cop 26, I have high expectations about the future
Somewhat interested. I am interested in policy but rarely do follow politics closely
Very interested. I got very interested in the global problems like global warming, illiteracy around the world and the corona virus crisis during the past years as I was growing up. This led me to politics. I am, in fact, planning on applying for a bachelor program connected to it as well.
Somewhat interested. I am not too interested when the politics talk about things that they don´t follow them, because, the most of the time they aren´t telling the truth. But, when they speak about climate change, recycling or another important issues for our planet, is when I pay more attention and when I worry about the huge issues they are talking about
Somewhat interested. I am interested and would like to remain aware of progress made, however, due to busy schedules, I do not always have the time to dedicate to remaining informed.
Very interested. I consider politics to play an essential part in the way we understand our world/society as well as something everyone should at least be familiar with and have some knowledge of.
Very interested. It’s mind-blowing that people have agreed to give in some of the governing rights as to live in a shared environment. The way political theories reflect in real life, the way political strategies and political philosophies and powers blend in, are of utmost interest for me. What I can’t stand is hypocrisy and utilitarianism in political parties that turn out to be political arenas. What actually puzzles is about; how political theories are perceived vs how there are expressed practically, how political theories were perceived back then when they were coined and how there are being perceived at the moment, if a political theory is to apply as a whole in a society or we end up getting bits and pieces from different political theories, if political scene is a priori to be corrupted and political subjects immoral, if political ideologies of all spectrum are two sides of the same coin and, at last, if the solution to everything above to abolish political ideologies and construct a new political structure, aiming to governing communities lead by technocrats and not fanaticizing public opinion, let’s say an administrative organ.
Very interested. It’s mind-blowing that people have agreed to give in some of the governing rights as to live in a shared environment. The way political theories reflect in real life, the way political strategies and political philosophies and powers blend in, are of utmost interest for me. What I can’t stand is hypocrisy and utilitarianism in political parties that turn out to be political arenas. What actually puzzles is about; how political theories are perceived vs how there are expressed practically, how political theories were perceived back then when they were coined and how there are being perceived at the moment, if a political theory is to apply as a whole in a society or we end up getting bits and pieces from different political theories, if political scene is a priori to be corrupted and political subjects immoral, if political ideologies of all spectrum are two sides of the same coin and, at last, if the solution to everything above to abolish political ideologies and construct a new political structure, aiming to governing communities lead by technocrats and not fanaticizing public opinion, let’s say an administrative organ.
Very interested. I studied Political science, therefore my interest in politics can be something natural because of my undergraduate studies.
Very interested. I’m very interested in both national and international politics. I spend a considerable amount of my day reading the news and delving into the origins and causes of present-day political questions. This interest has also guided my choice of university degree and I hope to work in the political field after having concluded my studies.
Very interested. I don’t find it only interesting to be informed what is happening in the world and how we can improve but I think it is also necessary to be well informed about it. Therefore, I’m studying European Studies which consists also of Political Science. I want to understand current changes in the world in order to improve this world. 🙂
Very interested. There’s a huge moving power of every country, which keeps the laws and the peace in track, namely, politics. Keeping in track with the political news, I think, I can be aware of how the world is constantly changing. Moreover, politics is a really complex field, where every decision matters. I always try to keep up with the latest information regarding politics and therefore what’s happening around the world.
Not very interested. Since I was a child I became more and more interested in the all-day politics around me and in the world. When I had to decide what I wanted to study, it was quite clear to me that I wanted to learn more about the interrelations of several domestic, as well as international political phenomenon. So I started my studies in political science which I still do.
Question 2
How confident are you in your own ability to participate in politics?
Elaborated answers
Completely confident. I am confident both because of my policy degree and my professional experience, but also because of the mere belief that everyone can and should participate in politics since we all bear the consequences of decisions made by (still) an elite group of decision makers. However, I do believe it is much more difficult for women to participate in politics because of sexism, discriminatory practices and a large incidence of violence against women politicians.
Completely confident. I think that after my academic education and all the projects I got involved in during my life I would be prepared to participate in politics.
A little confident. Politics is all around us, but even so I can not be confident enough. Decades of protests just now show their results (I advocate the ones that implies climate change, but they are not alone). I, as most of the youngsters, see the current political parties as inadequate, but yet I know that is almost impossible to change them -or to create new and better ones. In the end, I have to say that this question is not so well posed: I, as single, can not participate in politics, but with others yes, the confidence levels are rising.
Quite confident. There are many ways to participate in politics – some of which I am already pursuing, such as participating in the IYTT. Still, my options for political participation are limited due to the opportunity costs associated with it, which at the moment I am unable to bear
Completely confident. Politics is the science of the people. Of our right to express our opinions, share our values and work on creating a better world. I am not afraid to stand for my ideas and beliefs.
Very confident. I’m very confident due to the huge power as a humans we have. We can change the world with little actions, so I think that the power I have to participate in politics is bigger than the one that I think I have
Very confident. I believe I have enough awareness to participate in various forms, however, I can definitely improve (as always) and don’t believe I can ever truly be ‘completely confident’.
A little confident. I’d love to say that I’m completely confident, but participation in politics is not really fostered (at least in Spain, my country), so as a very young person, I find it a bit hard to actively take part in politics and I don’t believe opinions coming from young people are take into account most of the time.
Quite confident. Participating can be in two forms; a. electing; it is actually a right and obligation to participate in elections, vote and have a meaningful word on your governance. Otherwise, democracy has no meaning if there is not participation (even the principle of majority in democratic system would be totally useless) b. being elected; we all have the possibility to get elected as long as we serve some specific criteria for eligibility
Both a and b. in real life are jeopardized; citizens and especially young people have completely lost their interest to participate in politics due to the fact that they have woke up and smelt the coffee that political scene is mostly immoral, highly family-owned and innately incapable and insufficient.
Very confident. I consider myself very capable of participating in politics, either voting for representatives and president, or maybe in the future to come, to post myself to become a representative.
Quite confident. Although I really like to be involved in discussing about political questions, I often hesitate because I have the feeling that I don’t know enough and there are alway people who are experts on the respective topic. Furthermore, as a female human being I find myself often surrounded by males whose style of discussion can be quite harsh and egocentric which I don’t like that much. Sometimes, I manage to jump over my fears then but sometimes not.
Quite confident. I used to be the president of the local Youth Parliament back in my hometown, when in high school. Also I’ve had many leadership positions throughout the years, including the leader of a debates team. I think I just need some more work to do in order to feel confident enough.
Very confident. I mainly participate in politics through elections. However, I have the feeling that I could participate even more in politics if I would like to do so, e.g. through engaging in a party. But so far, I am fine without it.
Question 3
How much would you say that the political system in your country allows people like you to have an influence on politics?
Elaborated answers
Very little. In Croatia, it is extremely difficult to make any difference or have a say unless you have connections or are a member of one of the two largest parties.
Very little. I think that specifically in my country, participation in politics, and more for younger generations, is not an easy path. There are no very well-known platforms that gather youth’s opinions and influence in politics can be carried out only by militance or activism, being the latter not very successful nor impactful.
Very little. I’ll speak about Italy.
Sincerely I’m not sure of the answer. I’ll consider our political class to be very old and have inadequate ideas. This is certainly can be an indicator of the little involvement that we can have. However, with the new generation of media, everyone can influence politics -just think about Twitter. The problem is to remain relevant for a long period and to not be exploited. Sure, after Greta we young people are more and more involved in Italy, but this always seems to be a little sketch that the establishment gave us.
Some. My country, like many others, is a typical democracy with proportional representation. This means that people like me are as influential as their vote share is, given my country’s aversion for public consultations. While young people like me do have a great deal of influence on many progressive political narratives in the country thanks to the internet, this internet power often fails to transform into actual policy aimed at solving the youth’s problems.
Very little. I’m from Bulgaria. Sadly, the democracy here is only a formally written part of our constitution.
Very little. I think that politicians here in Spain they aren´t taking into account to the country´s residents, due to the little campaigns or field work they made. I think that the politicians should be a representation of the habitants of the nation, but here in Spain, sadly, that isn´t
Some. I believe people can and do have an influence, however, there is inevitably a limit due to decision-making processes. There is a need for this as too many voices can make reaching a decision more difficult, however, I’m sure there are ways that could help increase the role, influence and stake of the individual in decisionmaking to help increase the feeling of being ‘heard’ and ‘represented’.
Some. I definitely don’t think in Spain we live under a dictatorship of any kind which oppresses people and doesn’t allow them to think freely. However, I think politics are very much elitist, in a sense that often it is only well-connected or wealthy people who have a voice and are heard by our politicians, who usually also come from advantaged environments. Thus, it’s at times a bit complicated being able to actually have influence on politics.
Not at all. Most of the current political systems are structured on obsolete political rules. They don’t get to understand the modern power of technology such as social media. And of course they don’t give chances to young people to participate meaningfully in political system
Some. Young people in my country are targeted as inexperienced, therefore, the influence we have in politics is quite small, considering also that my country is very influenced by the opinion of entrepreneurs, elites and regional powers that corrupt political institutions and power with money.
Some. In my country – and in a lot of other Western countries as well – the political power is held by older generations, so it’s difficult for young people to have an effective influence on politics. However, through youth movements and associations, it is possible for teens and young people to start participating in politics. Overall, I wouldn’t say that it allows a great amount of involvement by non-politicians, but it is indeed possible to take part and to have an impact on the political discourse to a certain extent.
A great deal. I think that we have a lot of organisations and possibilities in my country for citizens to contribute to politics because they are so numerous and inclusive.
Very little. I’m not fond of our political system, as most young people from my country. It feels like the young people are not given a chance. Talking about our politics, this Sunday I’ll vote for the fourth time this year.
Some. Taking part in elections is in my opinion already a good opportunity for participating in politics, which is definitely given in Germany (at least if someone has the German citizenship). However, I would wish that there would be citizens assemblies whose decisions would really be taken into account by the actual decision-makers.